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Dominick Mastrangelo

Land of Talk played Mercury Lounge in NYC w/ Surprise Me Mr Davis & North Highlands - pics & setlist

words & photos by Dominick Mastrangelo

Land of Talk

A few songs into Land Of Talk‘s set at Mercury Lounge on Saturday night the sold out audience began asking for more vocals. “I think all of your bodies are absorbing my vocals,” said frontwoman, Elizabeth Powell.

Things are different than when last Powell played New York. It’s been a rough year since her voice gave out and forced the band off tour from support of last year’s excellent Some Are Lakes (which included dates with Broken Social Scene). Powell, who was singing with BSS in addition to her own band, had surgery to correct damage to her vocal chords, she took voice lessons, wrote several songs which make up their new Fun and Laughter EP as well as the forthcoming album which the band began recording last month. She wears an in-ear monitor in concert now and everything is clearly in place to protect her distinctive voice that used to go head-to-head with her razor-sharp guitar playing. Now her voice has acquiesced, it’s a bit softer though she did let it go a few times, especially during “All My Friends” and the line “Hustling leaves me white hot / blue in the face / eyes blood shot.” But despite her subdued vocals the packed crowd was still riveted; her guitar playing, the drumming of Andrew Barr and multi-insturmental duties of Joe Yarmush all outstanding through a set that didn’t end until half past 1am.

The show was one of a few dates with Surprise Me Mr. Davis (Marco Benevento & members of The Slip). More pictures from the NYC show below…

North Highlands

North Highlands

North Highlands

North Highlands

North Highlands

North Highlands

North Highlands

Surprise me, Mr. Davis

Surprise me, Mr. Davis

Surprise me, Mr. Davis

Surprise me, Mr. Davis

Surprise me, Mr. Davis

Surprise me, Mr. Davis

Surprise me, Mr. Davis

Surprise me, Mr. Davis

Surprise me, Mr. Davis

Surprise me, Mr. Davis

Surprise me, Mr. Davis

Land of Talk

Land of Talk

Land of Talk

Land of Talk

Land of Talk

Land of Talk

Land of Talk

Land of Talk

Land of Talk

Land of Talk

Land of Talk

Land of Talk

Land of Talk

Land of Talk

Land of Talk

Land of Talk

Land of Talk

Land of Talk

Land of Talk

Land of Talk

Land of Talk

Land of Talk

Land of Talk